EAST BRUNSWICK, N.J. & BENGALURU, India–(BUSINESS WIRE)–$WIPRO #Buyback–On June 5, 2023, Wipro Limited (NYSE:WIT, BSE: 507685, NSE: WIPRO) (the “Company”), a leading technology services and consulting company, issued a public announcement in India (“Public Announcement”) providing further details regarding the buyback (“Buyback”) by the Company of up to 269,662,921 (Two Hundred and Sixty Nine Million and Six Hundred Sixty Two Thousand Nine Hundred Twenty One only) fully paid-up equity shares of face value Rs. 2/- each of the Company (“Equity Shares”) representing up to 4.91% of the total number of Equity Shares in the paid-up Equity Share Capital of the Company at a price of Rs. 445/- (US$ 5.421) per Equity Share (“Buyback Price”) payable in cash for an aggregate amount of up to Rs. 120,000,000,000/- (Rupees One Hundred Twenty Billion only) (up to approximately US$ 1.4623 billion1) (“Buyback Size”). The Buyback Size constitutes 20.95% and 17.86% of the aggregate of the fully paid-up Equity Share capital and free reserves of the Company as per the latest audited standalone and consolidated balance sheet, respectively, as at March 31, 2023.
The Buyback will be conducted on a proportionate basis through the “tender offer” route as prescribed under the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Buy Back of Securities) Regulations, 2018, as amended, and the Indian Companies Act, 2013, as amended, and rules made thereunder, including any statutory modifications or re-enactments thereof, from all holders of Equity Shares who hold Equity Shares as of Friday, June 16, 2023, the record date for the Buyback (the “Record Date”). The Buyback Size does not include any transaction costs viz. brokerage, applicable taxes such as Buyback tax, securities transaction tax, GST, stamp duty, expenses incurred or to be incurred for the Buyback like filing fees payable to the Securities and Exchange Board of India, advisors/legal fees, public announcement publication expenses and other incidental and related expenses, etc. Buyback tax does not form part of the Buyback Size and will be appropriated out of the free reserves of the Company.
The Company’s American Depositary Shares (“ADSs”), each representing one Equity Share, evidenced by American Depositary Receipts (“ADRs”), are traded in the U.S. on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) under the ticker symbol “WIT”. In order for a holder of ADSs to participate in the Buyback, such holder will need to become a direct shareholder of the Company prior to the Record Date. To have the chance to become a direct shareholder of the Company prior to the Record Date, holders of ADSs will need to submit their ADSs to JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as ADS Depositary (the “Depositary”) for cancellation and withdrawing the underlying Equity Shares, no later than 12:00 noon New York City time on June 13, 2023 (the “Cancellation Deadline”) so that they are holders of Equity Shares as of the Record Date.
In order to cancel ADSs, holders of ADSs must comply with all of the provisions governing the ADSs related thereto (including without limitation, payment of all fees, charges and expenses owing) no later than the Cancellation Deadline and, prior to the Record Date, will also need to establish a brokerage account in India that is a DR type demat account in order to receive the withdrawn Equity Shares. Equity Shares may only be delivered to a DR type demat account. Such holders will then be able to tender the Equity Shares in the Buyback in accordance with the terms of the Buyback. Holders of ADSs have received, through the Notice of Postal Ballot sent to all holders of Equity Shares, including ADS holders, on May 2, 2023. On May 8, 2023, the Company also made available on its website a notice to holders of ADSs of the Buyback and information regarding surrendering the ADSs to the Depositary for cancellation and withdrawing the underlying Equity Shares so that they can participate in the Buyback and a notice to holders of ADSs concerning certain tax disclosures (the “ADS Notices”). As stated in the ADS Notices, holders of ADSs should note that they may not have sufficient time to establish a brokerage account in India such that they are able to tender Equity Shares and participate in the Buyback. The Depositary will not assist in establishing accounts in India nor will it assist holders in complying with the terms of the Buyback. If an ADS holder withdraws the underlying Equity Shares, such holder will not be able to re-deposit their Equity Shares into the ADR program and receive ADSs in return, regardless of whether such holder participates in the Buyback. Equity Shares are not listed on, and cannot be sold on, a U.S. exchange. Participation in the Buyback will trigger Buyback tax, which is to be discharged by the Company, while income received pursuant to the Buyback will be exempt from income tax. Holders of ADSs who decide to withdraw the underlying Equity Shares will be responsible for any related taxes, duties and fees, including fees payable to the Depositary to cancel the ADSs.
Holders of ADSs are advised to review the current trading price of ADSs on the NYSE, the current trading price of the Equity Shares on the National Stock Exchange of India Limited (NSE) and BSE Limited (BSE), and the Buyback Price prior to surrendering the ADSs for cancellation and withdrawing any Equity Shares. The Buyback Price is at a 16.49% and 23.18% premium over the volume weighted average market price of an ADS on the NYSE for the 60 and 10 trading days, respectively, preceding the date of notice to NSE and BSE of the board meeting to consider the proposal of the Buyback, i.e., April 21, 20232. The Buyback Price will be paid in Indian Rupees, therefore, holders of ADSs should also review foreign exchange rates in effect prior to making any decisions regarding the withdrawal of Equity Shares underlying the ADSs and participating in the Buyback. In addition, shareholders who intend to participate in the Buyback should consult with their stock brokers regarding any costs, charges and expenses (including brokerage) that may be required by the stock broker for participating in the Buyback (secondary market transaction). The Buyback consideration received by selling shareholders in respect of accepted Equity Shares could be net of such costs, charges, withholding taxes (if any), securities transaction tax, stamp duty and expenses (including brokerage). Selling shareholders will be responsible for all such costs, charges and expenses.
The Public Announcement published in India on Monday, June 5, 2023 and supplemental information regarding the participation in the Buyback by holders of ADSs are posted on the Company’s website at https://www.wipro.com/ and are available on the website of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) at www.sec.gov, generally on Form CB or Form 6-K. Such documents contain important additional information about the Buyback and related matters. Holders of ADSs are strongly encouraged to read such documents and consult with their financial and tax advisors prior to determining to submit their ADSs to the Depositary for cancellation and withdrawing the underlying Equity Shares.
The complete terms and conditions of the Buyback will be contained in the Letter of Offer which is expected to be mailed to holders of Equity Shares as of the Record Date after receipt of all necessary approvals. The Letter of Offer will also be available on www.wipro.com.
If you have any questions regarding an Equity Share withdrawal or the Buyback, please call the Company at +91-80-2844 0011 or send an e-mail to corp-secretarial@wipro.com.
Persons holding ADSs through a bank, broker or other nominee should contact such bank, broker or nominee with any questions they may have related to such cancellation procedures. Registered holders of ADRs may, however, contact the Depositary about the procedure related to the cancellation of their ADSs. Please do not contact the Depositary regarding the Buyback.
Special Notice to Securityholders in the United States
The Buyback is being made for securities of an Indian company and is subject to the laws of India. It is important for U.S. securities holders to be aware that the Buyback is subject to tender offer laws and regulations in India that are different from those in the U.S. and documents related to the Buyback will be prepared in accordance with Indian format and style, which differs from customary U.S. format and style. Certain of the U.S. federal securities laws apply to the Buyback as there are U.S. holders of Equity Shares and ADSs. The Buyback is being treated in the U.S. as one to which the “Tier I” exemption set forth in Rule 13e-4(h)(8) under the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, is applicable.
About Wipro Limited (NYSE: WIT)
Wipro Limited (NYSE: WIT, BSE: 507685, NSE: WIPRO) is a leading technology services and consulting company focused on building innovative solutions that address clients’ most complex digital transformation needs. Leveraging our holistic portfolio of capabilities in consulting, design, engineering, and operations, we help clients realize their boldest ambitions and build future-ready, sustainable businesses. With over 250,000 employees and business partners across 66 countries, we deliver on the promise of helping our customers, colleagues, and communities thrive in an ever-changing world. For additional information, visit us at www.wipro.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
The forward-looking statements contained herein represent Wipro’s beliefs regarding future events, many of which are by their nature, inherently uncertain and outside Wipro’s control. Such statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding Wipro’s growth prospects, its future financial operating results, and its plans, expectations and intentions. Wipro cautions readers that the forward-looking statements contained herein are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from the results anticipated by such statements. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, risks and uncertainties regarding fluctuations in our earnings, revenue and profits, our ability to generate and manage growth, complete proposed corporate actions, intense competition in IT services, our ability to maintain our cost advantage, wage increases in India, our ability to attract and retain highly skilled professionals, time and cost overruns on fixed-price, fixed-time frame contracts, client concentration, restrictions on immigration, our ability to manage our international operations, reduced demand for technology in our key focus areas, disruptions in telecommunication networks, our ability to successfully complete and integrate potential acquisitions, liability for damages on our service contracts, the success of the companies in which we make strategic investments, withdrawal of fiscal governmental incentives, political instability, war, legal restrictions on raising capital or acquiring companies outside India, unauthorized use of our intellectual property and general economic conditions affecting our business and industry.
Additional risks that could affect our future operating results are more fully described in our filings with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, including, but not limited to, Annual Reports on Form 20-F. These filings are available at www.sec.gov. We may, from time to time, make additional written and oral forward-looking statements, including statements contained in the company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission and our reports to shareholders. We do not undertake to update any forward-looking statement that may be made from time to time by us or on our behalf.
1 The U.S. dollar amounts are based on the exchange rate of Rs. 82.06/USD as of April 21, 2023 (Source: http://www.federalreserve.gov/releases/h10/hist/dat00_in.htm).
2 Based on the exchange rate of Rs. 82.06/USD as of April 21, 2023 (Source: http://www.federalreserve.gov/releases/h10/hist/dat00_in.htm).
Contacts
Contact for Investor Relations
Dipak Kumar Bohra
dipak.bohra@wipro.com
Contact for Media & Press
Purnima Burman
Purnima.burman@wipro.com